Controlling apparatus for electric motors.



No. 629,399. Patented July 25, I899. S. H. SHORT.

CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

(A umhn fllod Apr. an, 1896.)

(No mm.) 2 SIMON-"SRO" THE NORRIS PETERS co PaoTc-umo wasumomn. o. c.

No. 629,399. Patented July 25, I899.

- S. H. SHORT.

CONTRDLLINGJPPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

(Application filed Apr. 95, 1896.)

(No Nodal.) 2 Shoots-Sheet 2.

j R 'K, M l M uvwwxfiMw ww Fr T 5 R! 40 M u W 9, 3 G

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIDNEY II. SHORT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE \VALKER COMPANY, OF NEV JERSEY.

CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

V srncrrrcncr'ron forming part of Letters Patent No. 629,399, dated July 25, 1899. Application filed April 25, 1896. ria No- 589, 3- (No d To all toluene in Netty concern:

Be it known that I, SIDNEY l-I. SHORT, of Cleveland, in the county of Cnyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Controlling Apparatus for Electric Motors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to controlling appa power of the motors by means of the apparatus described in this specification.

The main object of this invention, aside from making various combinations with 1110- tors, is to avoid the destructive arcing usually resulting when making the changes in combinations or in cutting oit the current from the motor or motors.

This controlling apparatus is more particularly intended to be used for starting and controlling the speed of electric traction-motors; but the device is equally applicable to the control of stationary motors wherever frequent starting, stopping,and changes in speed are required.

Figure 1 represents diagrammatically the arrangement of the various parts of the controller and connections to the motors which constitute the invention. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of the changes in the circuit corresponding to different positions of the controller, and Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the controller and series break.

The controller consists of two parts-- namely, that part indicated generally by the letter A, which forms the combinations in the motor-circuit and cuts in and out resistances, and another part marked generally B, intended to dissipate the are which is formed at the moment of breaking contact. The

part A consists of a cylinder carrying upon it metallic contact-plates arranged to com-e in contact with and connect various stationary j, and 7;,

it also has aseries of other contact-plates 2,

terminals, while the part B is a separate cylinder arranged simply to make and break contact. The part B consists of a series of stationary contact-plates marked 80,31, 3:2, 33, 3e, 35, 36, and 37, each of these, except 81 and 87, being arranged in pairs, as shown in Fig. l. The moving part carries a series of corresponding contact-plates arranged in pairs2e, 25, 26, 27, 2b, and 29-the parts 24. to 28 being arranged to come in contact with the corresponding stationary contacts a little before the contacts 29 come in contact with 30 and 31 and to break a little later than co1itact 29 when turned in the reverse direction. The contacts 31 and 37 are connected bya conductor V, 30 is connected to the trolley, and 37. is connected by line 13 with the motor-circuit.

W M represent twomotors, and R R represent two resistance-coils. p

S, S, and S represent cut-out switches by which either of the motors may be cut out of circuit.

The main controlling-switch A has on it a series of contact-plates a, b, c, d, e, Z, g, h, t, which are connected, as shown, and

a, w, w, a, and 3 (shown in black,) which are intended mainly for the purpose of dissipating the are which forms in the controller at the time of breaking contact.

The top of the controller is provided with a ratchet-wheel D, (shown in Figs. 1 and 2,) which is moved by the handle H in either direction as the controller is moved. The top of the movable part of series break B is provided with a crank C, and a spring E is attached at one end to a pin K on said crank C and at the other end to a stationary pin N in any convenient part of the controller-box, so arranged that when crank C is moved from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the left said spring will swing across the center line of crank C, and thus tend to throw said'crank in one direction or the other on the well-known principle of the double-acting spring-hinge.

I represents an arm which is loosely pivoted at one end to the post Z, to which controllercrank H is attached, and at its outer end is connected by a link L with the end of crank-arm C.

P and P represent two curved pawls, each pivoted on the pin J, which connects arm I with link L, and drawn together by a spring F, whose line of strain is between said pin and the inner end of arm I, so that said pawls are normally always drawn toward each other.

0 0 represent stationary pins on the controller-case adapted to come in contact with pawls P and P, respectively, and hold them out of engagement with ratchet-wheel D.

Q represents a lug on ratchet D, adapted to strike the end of pawl P, so as to shift the pawl into the position shown in Fig. 2.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide an initially-acting switch having operative connection with the circuitchanging and resistance-varying switch, the arrangement being such that the first movement of the last-mentioned switch-that is, the controlling-switch-in one directionthat is, in a direction .toward the on positionoperates to close the first-mentioned or initially-actingswitch and that said initiallyacting switch is maintained in closed position during the entire on movement of the controlling-switch, and hence during the circuit changes and resistance variations in the motor-circuit. It will also be seen that the first movement of the controlling-switch in the opposite direction-that is, toward off positionoperates to open the initially-acting switch and that said initially-acting switch remains in open position during the entire off movement of the controlling-switch. It is evident that this generic idea may be embodied in many specifically different constructions. IVhile, therefore, one form of embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings, I desire it to be understood that the invention is not limited or confined to the specific construction shown. For instance, the construction and arrangement of the controlling switch or of the initially acting switch or of the connections between the two may be widely varied and altered without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The operation of this invention is as follows: Assuming the parts to he in the position shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, if controller A be moved so as to bring it into the position shown in Fig. 2, the lug Q strikes the end of pawl P, forces it out, thus moving arm I, link L, and drawing crank'arm C until by means of spring E it is drawn into the position shown in Fig. 2. This brings the contacts 2i to 29 into contact with the corresponding contacts 30 to 37, and the line of least resistance from the trolley T is as follows: 30 to 29 to 31 through line V, thence through line 13, resistance R R, line 18, motor M, line 20, contact-finger 11, contact j, contact 2', contact-finger 8, line 21, motor M to ground, both resistances and both motors being in series. During any further movement of controller A to the left to vary the resistance of the motor-circuit either by cutting in or out resistances or by varying the coupling of the motors the ratchet D runs idly over the end of pawl P without aifecting the series break B. If now the handle H be turned to the right, Fig. 2, for the purpose of cutting off current from the motors, the ratchet-wheel D actuates pawl P, and through said pawl swings link L and crank-arm C until spring E passes over the center line of the crank-arm 0, when said spring opens the series break with great rapidity, thus cutting off the entire current from the motor-circuit and dissipating the resulting spark between the segments 2% to 37, which are cut into circuit as soon as contact 29 leaves contacts 30 and 31. This change of position throws pawl P out and away from ratchet-wheel D through pin 0, and spring F brings pawl P into position to he struck by lug Q when the controller is again moved. It is evident that when the series breaks are all closed the path of current will be from the lower contact-finger 30, through contacts 29 to 31, thence by wire V to 37, and that in reversing this operation contact 31 is first cut out, thereby cutting out wire V and forcing the current to pass through contacts 24 to 37. The operation above described of closing the circuits has thrown the two motors and resistances in series, as shown in position first of Fig. 3. A further movement of controller A brings contacts Z2 and 0 against fingers 2 and 3, thus cutting out resistance R and putting the parts in the second position shown in Fig. A still further movement of controller A brings contact cl in connection with finger at, thus cutting out both resistances, as shown in the third position, Fig. The next operation of the controller is to couple the motors in multiple. In doing this the resistance of the circuit would be decreased to one-quarter of the resistance of the third position, Fig. 3, and this would make too sudden an increase in speed; so it is advisable for the purpose of preventing a violent forward plunge of the car to bring back one resistance into the circuit. Therefore the next movement of the switch A to the left brings segment a in contact with finger 1, thus permanently shortcircuiting resistance R. It also brings the shaded contacts t and u in contact with fingers 5, 6, and 7 and shaded contact in contact with fingers 9 and 10, thus forcing the current after it leaves finger 3 to pass to Z, to 5, to 9, to X, to 10, to 7, to u, to G, and on through the motors by way of line :20, finger 11, contact j t, linger 8, line 21. A further slight movementof switch A will break all these contacts open, and the are, which would otherwise have been formed between (I and 4, is broken into five small sparks in series which are not destructive in their action on the contacts. This breaking open of five contacts around the resistance R is illustrated at X in position n, Fig. 3. The motors are now running in series with one resistance in circuit. The next movement of the controller A to the left brings the shaded contacts 20, z, and 'g in contact with the fingers 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 and also brings contact 7; in contact with finger 12, and by this time segment '5 has left finger 8. The circuit at this time is as shown in position 0, Fig. 3, motor M being short-circuited by the direct connection ofline 15 to ground through segments j and 76 and finger 12. The next movement of the con troller A to the left breaks the segments from their respective fingers in series, and the selfinduction spark of motor M is broken up into five parts and rendered harmless, and this brings the parts in the position shown at 10, Fig. 8, the breaking being represented at X. These three steps are in practice passed over rapidly in order to get to the next position, marked a in Fig. 3, in which the two motors are in multiple with one resistance R in circuit. A further motion of the switch A shortcircuits resistance R by means of contact Z, and the parts are in the fifth position, Fig. 8, the two motors in multiple without any resistance in the circuit. On moving switch A toward the 01f position the series break 13 is immediately opened, as above described, and the circuit closed at that point, the resulting are being distributed among all the contacts 24 28 32 37, thus rendering the spark harmless,and thiseifectisindicated atXin the of position, Fig. 8, and the controller may be returned to its starting-point without any current passing through the system and therefore without spar-king. To cut out motor IYI, switches S and S are opened, in which case motor M will run on the lower half of the switch A with both resistances or only one .re-

sistance or none in circuit, and by opening switches S and S motor M is cut out and motor M can be operated with both resistances, with one resistance, or with no resistance in circuit.

hat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

I. In combination with a motor-circuit and a controlling-switch for said circuit, a series break consisting of a series of stationary contact-points, a series of movable contact-points, a device normally having operative engagement with a movable part of the controllingswitch when the latter moves toward the on position, means for automatically disestablishing said engagement upon reaching the on position, a connection between said device and the movable contacts of the series break, and a separate device attached to said connection and having operative engagement with said movable part of the controllingswitch when the latter is moved toward the of position, whereby the first movement of thecontrolling-swith toward the on position throws the contact-pointsof the series break into circuit and leaves them in that position during any further movement in the same direction of the controlling-switch,while any movement of the latter toward the off position at once opens said contact-points,

substantially as described.

2. The combination with a motor-circuit and controlling-switch for said circuit, of a series of stationary contact-points, a series of movable contact-points, a spring for throwing said movable contact-points quickly in or out of contact with said stationary points when moved, and a connection between said movable contact points and said controllingswitch whereby said controlling-switch is capable of throwing said movable contact-points in contact with said stationary contact-points when moved in one direction and of breaking contact between said two points when moved in the opposite direction, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In com bination, with a switch adapted to control a motor-circuit, a spring-switch having a number of stationary and a corresponding number of movable contact-points adapted to close or open the circuit controlled by the controlling-switch, a device normally having operative engagement with a movable part of the controlling-switch when moved in one direction, means for automatically disestablishing said engagement upon reaching a given point in said movement, a connection between said device and the spring-switch, and a separate device attached to said connection and having operative engagement with said movable part of the controllingswitch when the latter moves in the opposite direction, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a motor-circuit and a controlling-switch A governing said circuit of a series-break switch B provided with an actuating-spring and an intermittent connection between said controlling-switch and said series-break switch in both directions, whereby motion of controlling-switch A in one direction first closes series break B and then leaves it unaffected, and motion inthe other direction instantly opens said seriesbreak switch B, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In combination with a motor-circuit and a controlling-switch adapted to vary the external resist-ance of the motor-circuit by coupling up the coils of the motor in varying orders and also to cut resistance in and out of said circuit, a line-switch connected with said controlling-switch intermittently in one direction of motion and continuously in the other direction, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

' 6. In combination with a motor-circuit and a controlling-switch a line-switch and intermittent connection between said two switches whereby motion of said controlling-switch in either direction first operates said line-switch and then may be continued without affecting said line-switch, substantially as shown and described.

I 7. In combination with controlling-switch A, a series-break switch B, a connection between said switches, a ratchet-wheel upon said controlling-switch, a lug on said ratchetwheel and a double pawl carried on the connection between said switches, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

8. In a controller for electric motors, cir cuit-changing and resistance-varying stationary and movable contacts in combination with an initially-acting switch and a controlling connection actuated by the normal movement of said movable contacts in one direction to close said switch and by the opposite movement to open the same, the first-named position of said switch being maintained during the variation of resistance in the circuit and the second position being maintained during a reverse movement of the resistan ce-varying contacts, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a controller for electric motors, a corn troller-drum and means for actuating the same for effecting the circuit changes and reinitially-acting switch and connections between said switch and drum whereby when said drum is moved toward on position said switch is closed and maintained in closed position during the on movement of the drum, and when said drum is moved toward off position said switchis opened and maintainedin open position d uringthe off movement of the drum, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. The combination with a controller adapted to change the circuit connections and vary the circuit resistance, of an initially-acting switch arranged to make or break the main circuit in advance of the action of said controller when actuated in one direction or the other, and connections between said controller and switch whereby when the former is actuated in either direction the latter is moved into cooperative position and main= tained in that position during the completion of the movement of the controller, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a controller for electric motors, the combination with stationary contacts, a cooperating contact-bearing drum and actuating means therefor, of a circuit making and breaking switch, a controlling mechanism intermediate said switch and said drum-actuating means,which insures the opening of the circuit by a backward movement of the dru mactuating means from any point, and the closing of the same only when the drum is in position to include the necessary resistance in circuit, as and for the purpose set forth. sistance variations, in combination with an 12. In a controller for electric motors, the combination with stationary contacts, a cooperating contact-bearing drum, and an. actuating device therefor of a circuit making and breakingswitclnanopeningand closingmechanism therefor, actuated or controlled by a backward movement of the drum-actuating device from any point to open said switch, and by a forward movement to close the same only when the drum is in its initial or off position, as and for the purpose set forth. SIDNEY I-l. SHORT. Wi t-n esses:

F. W. BUNTS, E. T. SARGENT. 

